'Nice sendoff' for area's top girls basketball players in Champions of Character game

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – After winning her final 51 games and finishing the past two seasons as state champion, it was only fitting that Grand Haven’s Hannah Wilkerson would end her high school career on top.

Wilkerson spurred a second-half comeback by the West All-Stars with 13 second-half points Thursday, June 20, as she was named MVP of the Champions of Character game, leading the West squad over the East team 78-73.

However, the game, held at Cornerstone University, was more about integrity and sportsmanship than the final score. Players from the O-K Conference were elected based on their character as well as their athletic ability, which was a nice experience for Wilkerson.

“It was fun to play against everyone you know from around the area,” Wilkerson said. “There’s a lot of talent in West Michigan, especially because this group of girls is good not only on the court but off of it too.”

Wilkerson was joined by 20 other recent graduates for the matchup, with all 21 moving on to play at the next level. Future Ferris State player Wilkerson was one of three players in the game heading for Division II and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for basketball, as her fellow West All-Stars Megan Harkema, from West Catholic, and Cortney Zenner, of Catholic Central, are going to Lake Superior State and Saginaw Valley State, respectively.

“It’s fun to coach a game like this and these are the best kids from the area,” said Grand Haven and West All-Star coach Katie Kowalczyk-Fulmer. “It’s tough to say goodbye to seniors.”

As for the game itself, both teams struggled a bit early to find a rhythm. The East took charge in the first half, running the transition game early and often and never trailed for the first 20 minutes. Wyoming’s Jamie Krasean and Hudsonville’s Alyssa Van Ham combined for 17 points to lead the East to a 37-31 margin at halftime.

That lead did not last long into the second half. After the East took a 40-31 lead, the West ripped off a 22-8 run and would only lose the lead once the rest of the way. Wilkerson had eight straight points during the run, and Forest Hills Central’s Marti Corby chipped in with six points.

“Our kids had a good second half and came back,” Kowalczyk-Fulmer said.

After falling behind by 12 at one point, the East cut the margin down to five late off a 3-pointer by South Christian’s Angelique Gaddy. But after a few missed shots by the East, Harkema grabbed a key rebound with 16 seconds left to seal the game.

The West was led by four players in double figures, with Paris Madison, Marti Corbi and Zenner joining Wilkerson. Madison also had four steals to spark the second-half run for the West.

Gaddy and East MVP Alyssa Van Ham both had 14 points to lead their team, joining former Wyoming teammates Jaliyah Arrington and Krasean in double figures.

Van Ham, who had a double-double in the game, received some valuable experience in the game, as she will be attending Cornerstone in the fall and will spend many days and nights on the same court.

“It was nice to play a real game on the court and figure things out,” said Van Ham, who will be joined at Cornerstone by East teammates Mari Bugg (Grandville) and Samantha Kolenda (Sparta). “I’m so excited for basketball to start.”

Van Ham also appreciated being elected to the game not just on the basis of her basketball abilities.

“It was really amazing to be chosen to do this,” she said. “I’m glad they would pick me for my character.”

Despite the loss, East All-Star and South Christian coach Jim DeBruyn treasured the experience of coaching such quality athletes.

“What you have is not only good athletes but good student-athletes and leaders in their schools,” DeBruyn said. “It was a nice sendoff.”